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- Survey finds nearly three-quarters of Australians are looking for homes with energy-efficient ratings and features
- REA Group director of economic research Cameron Kusher says that energy efficiency is an increasingly important consideration for consumers
- Nearly three-quarters of respondents specified an energy rating as important, of which 48 per cent said it was of extreme importance
- The main reason behind the desire for an energy rating is reducing energy bills, followed by being more environmentally conscious
- Mr Kusher said solar panels is the number one searched for sustainable home feature and is also the most common feature included in listing descriptions
Nearly three-quarters of Australians are looking for homes with energy-efficient ratings and features, according to a survey.
REA Group in its REA Insights Energy Efficient Housing Report which combined 12 million monthly visitors to realestate.com.au and a survey of 1353, found energy-efficient homes were important to home seekers.
REA Group director of economic research Cameron Kusher said that energy efficiency is an increasingly important consideration for consumers.
“Despite clear consumer demand for energy efficient homes, only a small percentage of listings on realestate.com.au advertised sustainable features.
“Only seven per cent of listings in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, contained one or more energy efficient key words.
“Most suburbs in which energy efficiency features are being declared are in new housing areas. This is most likely due to the fact that these homes have been built to the minimum energy efficiency requirements, whereas older existing homes have not.”
Nearly three-quarters of respondents specified an energy rating as important, of which 48 per cent said it was of extreme importance.
The main reason behind the desire for an energy rating was reducing bills, followed by being more environmentally conscious.
Just 15 per cent of listings in Victoria have a Nationwide Housing Energy Rating Scheme star rating.
This is the second-best across the country, with the mandatory disclosure of star ratings in the ACT meaning nearly all listings in the territory have the information on hand.
Tasmania has the highest number of properties with an energy-efficient keyword in the listing.
Mr Kusher said solar panels are the number one searched for sustainable home feature and is also the most common feature included in listing descriptions.
Research has indicated that homes with solar panels sell with an approximate 3 to 4 per cent premium over similar homes without them.
“This report highlights the untapped opportunity for vendors, landlords and builders to consider sustainable and energy efficient features when building, renovating, and advertising to prospective house hunters who are clearly placing importance on these aspects,” Mr Kusher said.
